Wooden building block



Oct. 10, 1950 N. R. ALENIUS 2,525,009 WOODEN BUILDING BLOCK Filed July26, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 10, 1950 Filed July 26, 1947 N. R.ALENIUS WOODEN BUILDING BLOCK 2 Shgets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 10, 1950UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WOODEN BUILDING BLOCK Nils" Robert Alenius,Stockholm, Sweden Application July 26, 1947, Serial No. 763,993 InSweden May 29, 1947 My present invention has for its object a woodenbuilding block of rectangular, for example square, shape to be used asconstruction element for various purposes, for instance, as wall-,floor-, roofand door-blocks for housebuilding, as wooden slabs forflooring, wall panels, walls of concrete casting moulds etc., said blockcomprising at least two frame beams extending along two opposite edgesof the block and sup porting covering secured thereto of boards passingin crossor oblique direction of the frame beams.

Depending on their desired mechanical strength, breadth or purpose, theelements can also be provided with reinforcing beams, running parallellywith the frame beams or cross-wise thereto.

All the elements of the kind set forth hitherto known in the art haveone characteristic common to all of them: the covering boards aresecured to the beams by nailing.

These nailed blocks are inherent of manydisadvantages. Their diagonalstiffening is bad. Under the influence of variations in moisture andtemperature the board coverings often become uneven and warp, becausenails do not afford any satisfactory resistance against such stress-es.Since the beams in order to give sufficient strength must be. relativelyhigh, the blocks will be unnecessarily thick, because their height isdetermined by the height of the beam added by the thickness of thecovering boards.

The last-named disadvantage, viz. the thickness, could partly beeliminated by excavations made in a manner known per se at the ends ofthe boards and also at the places where the reinforcing beams, if suchexist, pass them, the

covering boards thus extending over the frame beams and the reinforcingbeams with a thinner portion, whereas they with their other parts intheir normal thickness extend between the said beams. the nailingremain, and these arethe most perceptible ones. It is very difficult toproduce nailed blocks in large quantities and still less'possible tomake them in fully automatic manufacture. Machine nailing will ofcoursepermit a certain automatization, but the technical disadvantages ofnailed joining remain and the advantages obtained by the machine nailingare not counterbalanced by the costs of the machines.

The best jointing means would consist in glueing, because all thedisadvantages set forth could be eliminated. The diagonal stiffeningwould become good, the joints would become strong, the manufacturingcould be made exact and its speed However, the disadvantages inherent to7 Claims. (CI. 2091) 2 much accelerated, and totally automaticiz'edmachines could be used. 7

In practice it has, however, proved highly diflicult to adapt glueing.The glued joint between wood pieces, the fibres of which cross eachother, and which are of such a thickness as in the present case, wouldnot be strong enough to Withstand such large stresses as are caused bythe shrinkage or swelling of the wood pieces because of changes in theatmosphere. Only if at least the one Wooden piece could be so thin as tomake the glued joint stronger than the wood proper, the joint should, intheory, resist the stress. But

' even when using covering boards with excavations of the kind mentionedabove and moreover by making the end portions and other crossingportions as thin as ever possible, the joints would break nevertheless,because the working of the wood in the thick portions of the boardsbetween the beams would become too straining for the glued joint.

My present invention has for its object to bring about such a newstructure of the block that enables the glued joint to withstand allstresses.

' My invention starts from the use of such covering boards extendingover or into the frame beams by end flanges formed at both ends of thecovering boards and secured to the frame beams by glueing, said coveringboards to their other parts extending with their full strength betweenthe frame beams.

My invention is substantially characterized by the feature that the saidend flanges between their base and the glued joint comprise a freeintermediate portion of so thin a dimension that it because of itselasticity or by deformation, but without breaking of the glued joint,takes up the stresses in the boards and beams caused by the Variationsof moisture and temperature.

My invention is by way of examples illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which represent some embodiments thereof. Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a first embodiment, and Figs. 2 and 3 show on anenlarged scale a modified shape of the covering boards as shown in theFig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a second embodiment of myinvention, and Fig, 5 shows on an enlarged scale and in section amodified detail of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is aperspective view of a third embodiment, and Figs. '7 and 8 show modifieddetails thereof on an enlarged scale. Fig. 9 illustrates a fourthembodiment, and Fig. 10 represents on an enlarged scale a modificationof a detail part belonging thereto.

In all figures the reference nuberal l designates 3 frame beams and thereference numeral 2 covering boards. 4 designates the end flanges, L theglued joints and F the free intermediate portion of the end flanges 4between the base of said flanges and their glued joint L.

The Figs. 1-5 show box-shaped blocks, i. e. blocks with two coverings ofboards 3, whereas the Figs. 6-10 show one-sheeted elements.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the free intermediate portion F hasbeen accomplished in the most simple way by removing all wooden materialfrom below the end flanges 4. The portion of the covering boards 3extending betweenthe frame beams I are supported, as is evident from theFig. 1, by a shoulder of the frame beams l, i. e. at a right angleinwards relatively to theoutside of the block. The Figs. 2 and 3 showthe end portion of a modified covering board 3 for the block accordingto Fig. l, seen from the side and from below, respectively. In thelast-named figures the end flanges l are provided, in order still toincrease the elasticity of the free intermediate portion F, withlongitudinal, through-passing incisions extending vertically towards theouter surface of the block. These incisions can also be ofnon-through-passing shape.

In the embodiment of my invention according to the Figs. 4-8,v the freeintermediate portion F has been realized byincisions substantiallyparallel with the plane of the end flanges 4 in the ends of the coveringboard portions extending between the frame beams i. The inner endportions of'the boards 3 are inserted either directly see Fig. 4-01 byprojecting portions 8see Figs. 5-8-into grooves extending longitudinallyalong the inner surface of the frame beams l, whereby the ends of thecovering boards are effectively stayed vertically outwards as well asinwards with respect to the sides of the block as well as in theirlongitudinal direction.

In the modification according to Fig. 5 the grooves for the projectingportions 8 of the upper covering boards 3 are situated so much downwardsin relation to the upper edge of the frame beam i that the portion ofthe end flanges 4 which corresponds to the glued joint L is forced to ahigher level than that of the other part of the covering boards 3. Thismodification is especially advantageous when e. g. a cover of cardboardor paper is applied to the outer surface of the block. In such a casethe said cover is glued to the end flanges 4 only on that portion whichforms the glued joint L, but otherwise it is not glued to the surface ofthe block. Any possible working of the wood in the block will thus beprevented from becoming perceptible in the cover of cardboard or paper.

According to the Fig. 6, the frame beams are on both sides bordered byend flanges 4, but in the modification according to the Fig. 7, only oneend flange 4 is placed in the centre and inserted between the two beamportions l of a frame beam divided up into said two portions. Thismodification has the advantage of preventing all possible working of thewood in the flanges 4 from becoming visible outwards.

The ends or pre'ecting portions of the covering boards entering theframe beams need not-as in the Figs. 4-'7--have rectangular profile.They may for instance be dovetail-shaped which makes necessary to givethe grooves in the frame beams a corresponding dovetail-shape. Thismodification, which is presented in the Fig. 8, is particularly suitablewhen the frame beams in the way indicated in the Fig, 7 are longi- 4tudinally divided up into two or more sections with the dividing line atthe dovetail-shaped grooves so that the dovetail-shaped end flanges neednot be inserted from the end of each groove, but the longitudinalsections of the frame beams are secured together over thedovetail-shaped end flanges. Moreover, the Fig. 8 shows a furthermodification in that the incisions below the flanges '4 are filled witha suitable material 8, such as for example cardboard, veneer or thelike, which is not glued to the end flanges but 'by its presenceprotects the portion F from breaking because of exterior stresses, suchas blows, shocks or pressure.

It is evident that 1' can use, instead of continuous grooves to beentered from the ends of the covering boards, even discontinuous ones,provided that the covering boards are not entered from the ends of thegrooves. Instead of grooves I also can use continuous or discontinuousshoulders projecting from the inside of the frame beams.

The Fig- 4 also illustrates the principle of embodying my invention whenusing reinforcing intermediate beams 2. The covering boards 3 arefastened unto said intermediate beams 2 by using the same principle as Iadapt for-the securing of the end flanges of the covering boards to theframe beams. Of course, it is understood that the end flanges hereactually also consist of that thinner inner portion of one continuouscovering board which from both sides abuts against the intermediate beam2.

The modification illustrated in the Figs. 9 and 10 differs from theearlier described'ones by the intermediate portion F directly abuttingagainst the frame beams l, but without being secured to them by glueing.The effect obtained is the same as in the other embodiments of myinvention. In order to facilitate the control of the breadth of theglued joint L, the end flanges 4 can be provided with grooves, Fig. 10,bordering the portion to be covered with glue. This modificationeliminates, in the same effective manner as the modification presentedin the Fig. 8, any danger of the portion F being pressed inwards.

The intermediate portion F which according to my invention is applied toall modifications thereof prevents every possible stress from beingtransmitted from the covering boards to the beams and vice versa. Thecovering boards are permitted to move in the longitudinal direction ofthe beams. Therefor the glued joint L will remain undamaged even if theatmospheric conditions change considerably.

The joint according to my invention is easy to make. The profile of thecovering boards is formed to size in one single working procedure. Thecovering boards and the beams can easily be carried automatically into auniting machine, whereby a continuous production 'is rendered possible.Because of the feeble dimensions of the end flanges of the coveringboards and their portions on the intermediate beams, a glue hardening inthe heat can be used, thus reducing considerably the durance of theglueing process.

A further advantage with my invention consists therein that because ofthe stable securing of the covering boards to the frame beams no tonguesand grooves are in most cases required in the covering boards, whichmeans a considerable saving in wood material.

Another important advantage consists in the obtaining of 'plane outersurfaces in spite of variations in the thickness of the boards. Themanufacturing according to my invention permits to form the board fromthat side which will form the outer surface of the block. Thus an evensurface can be brought about even if the thickness of the individualboards differs to some extent from each other. This feature embodies aconsiderable saving, since any sizing and flnisln ing planing off of theboards is avoided.

I claim:

1. A construction element'for wood structures, comprising incombination, a wooden beam; a wooden plate substantially at right anglesto said beam having a bulk portion and an end flange having smallerthickness than said bulk portion; a glued joint between said beam andthe end portion of said flange; and an intermediate portion of said flane between said glued joint and said bulk portion of said plate; saidintermediate portion forming a free connection between said end portionand said bulk portion of said plate.

2. A construction element for wood structures, comprising incombination, a wooden beam having a step-like profile including an upperpart and a lower part; a wooden plate having a bulk 1,

portion and an end flange having smaller thick ness than said bulkportion; the end portion of said flange being arranged in contact withsaid upper part; the end of said bulk portion being arranged in contactwith the end of said lower part; a glued joint between said upper partof said step-like profile of said beam and the end portion of saidflange; and an intermediate portion of said flange between said gluedjoint and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate 3 part;said second flange being arranged parallel to said first flange andhaving a greater length than said first flange; a glued joint betweensaid outer portion of said beam and said end portion of said secondflange; and an intermediate portion of said second flange between saidglued joint and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediateportion forming a free connection between said end portion and said bulkportion of said plate.

4. A construction element for wood structures, comprising incombination, a U-shaped wooden beam having a central longitudinal grooveand two outer parts; a wooden plate having a bulk portion and two endflanges having their end portions arranged in contact, respectively,with said outer parts of said beam; a central flange formthe endportions of said end flanges, respectively, and intermediate portions ofsaid end flanges, respectively, arranged between said glued joints,respectively, and said bulk portions of said plate; said intermediateportions forming free connections, respectively, between said endportion and said bulk portion of said plate.

5. A construction element for wood structures, comprising incombination, a U-shaped wooden beam having a central longitudinal grooveand two outer parts; a wooden plate having a bulk portion and two endflanges having their end portions arranged in contact, respectively,with said outer parts of said beam; a central flange forming part ofsaid plate and projecting between said end flanges; a projection of saidcentral flange engaging said longitudinal groove of said beam; gluedjoints between said outer parts of said beam and the end portions ofsaid end flanges, respectively; and intermediate portions of said endflanges, respectively, arranged between said glued joints, respectively,and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate portions formingfree connections, respectively, between said end portion and said bulkportion of said plate.

6. A construction element for wood structures, comprising incombination, a wooden beam having tapering sides; a wooden plate havinga bulk portion and two tapering end flanges being arranged in contact,respectively, with said tapering sides of said beam; end portionsforming part of said flanges, respectively; glued joints between saidbeam and said end portions of said flanges, respectively; andintermediate portions of said end flanges arranged, respectively,between said glued joints and said bulk portion of said plate; saidintermediate portions forming free connections between said endportions, re-

I spectively, and said bulk portion of said plate.

ing part of said plate and projecting between v 7 Number '7. Aconstruction element for wood structures, comprising in combination, awooden beam having tapering sides; longitudinal grooves in said taperingsides of said beam; a wooden plate having a bulk portion and twotapering end flanges being arranged in contact, respectively, with saidtapering sides-10f said beam; end portions forming part of said flanges,respectively; glued joints between the base portion of said beamslimited by said grooves and said end portions of said flanges,respectively; and intermediate portions of said end flanges arranged,respectively, between said glued joints and said bulk portion of saidplate; said intermediate portions forming free connections between saidend portions, re-

spectively, and said bulk portions of said plate.

NILS ROBERT ALENIUS.

REFERENflES CITED The following references are of record in the flle ofthis patent:

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date 444,218 Great Britain Mar. 17, 1936

